50 Ways to Leave Your Job Search NOW

Time to jump start your job search.

This is a guest post by Hannah Morgan. If you’d also like to guest post here on JobMob, follow these guest post guidelines.

In the words of Paul Simon, “there must be 50 ways to leave your lover”. There are at least 50 ways to leave unemployment! Let's get going!

You just slip IN the back, Jack

Get an inside referral from someone who works in the company!

Make a new plan, Stan

If what you are doing, isn't working, you have to try doing something different. Make a new plan!

You don't need to be coy, Roy

Pursue each job opportunity with fervor and especially during the interview, let them know you WANT the job.

Just listen to me

Whether it be me or another job search coach, get professional advice!

Hop on the bus, Gus

The career bus that is! This won't be your last job search, begin today building a career that is going in the direction you want.

You don't need to discuss much

Be aware of how much dirty laundry or even detail you divulge during interviews. Often, less is more!

Just drop off the key, Lee

Leave your baggage behind. Too old, too young, no degree, too many degrees; when it comes right down to it, all that really matters is that you have the skills to do the job and they like you.

And get yourself free

Pursue a job you love and you'll never work another day in your life!

Fun and games aside, let's check out 50 ways to get a job!

1. Know what you want to do
2. Tell your friends, family and colleagues what you are looking for
3. Be able to succinctly tell people what you do in a way a child could understand
4. Look for jobs that are slightly different from what you used to do
5. Use the job boards and company websites
6. Join and participate in professional associations
7. Check in with your Alma mater
8. Become active in your community
9. Spend most of your time away from the computer
10. Attend networking events
11. Build a robust LinkedIn profile
12. Use LinkedIn Groups to meet new people
13. Scout out recruiters who do placement in you line of work
14. Develop new skills in-demand
15. Track your time and activities and assess what needs to be adjusted
16. Use Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to learn about company culture and meet insiders.
17. Re-connect with past employers
18. Research people before meeting with them to build rapport faster
19. Create a list of 30-50 companies that could potentially hire you
20. Attend conferences, trade shows or professional meetings
21. Write a solid and compelling cover letter (no templates allowed)
22. Customize your resume for every job
23. Always send a thank you
24. Take the harder route…always chose the option that is hardest for you
25. Don't forget to look for civil service and government jobs
26. Join or create a job search project team to keep you on track
27. Follow up and don't give up
28. Spend at least 30 hours a week dedicated to productive search activities
29. Schedule networking meetings at least a week in advance
30. Develop accomplishment stories to tell during your interviews
31. Practice interview answers out loud
32. Know all the details for the interview: who, where, and when. Don't assume.
33. Be comfortably confident and make the interview an exchange, not an interrogation
34. Make LinkedIn work for you by pinging your connections when they share information
35. Have a professional email signature
36. Know when it is time to ask for help
37. Have solid, well-coached references lined up
38. Know your backup plan
39. Create and use a personal marketing plan
40. Expand your job search territory
41. Be able to put into words the value you bring to your future employers
42. Keep working your job search, even after you've had a great interview
43. Discuss salary requirements (not income needs) at the last possible moment
44. Learn how to negotiate and be ready to negotiate your job offer
45. Use the productive hours of the day (8am – 5pm) meeting with people
46. Give back to others less fortunate than yourself
47. Set measurable goals and time-lines and don't let them slip
48. Know the right way to answer the question “why did you leave your last job?”
49. Google yourself to make sure your online presence is tip top
50. Never, ever stop looking for work again!

About the Author

Hannah Morgan, also known as Career Sherpa, helps people new to job search understand how to navigate the treacherous terrain of today's competitive job search. She is an avid writer and speaker on the topics of job search, reputation management and social media strategies.

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READ NOW: Long Job Search? 25 Action Tips To End Yours ASAP.

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